Table of Contents
Advertisement
FDA has tested hearing aids for interference from handheld
wireless phones and helped develop a voluntary standard
sponsored by the Institute of Electrical and Electronic
Engineers (IEEE). This standard specifies test methods and
performance requirements for hearing aids and wireless phones
so that no interference occurs when a person uses a
"compatible" phone and a "compatible" hearing aid at the same
time. This standard was approved by the IEEE in 2000.
FDA continues to monitor the use of wireless phones for
possible interactions with other medical devices. Should
harmful interference be found to occur, FDA will conduct
testing to assess the interference and work to resolve the
problem.
25. Which other federal agencies have responsibilities related to
potential RF health effects?
Certain agencies in the Federal Government have been involved
in monitoring, researching or regulating issues related to
human exposure to RF radiation. These agencies include the
Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA), the Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA), the National Institute for Occupational
Safety and Health (NIOSH), the National Telecommunications
and Information Administration (NTIA) and the Department of
Defense (DOD).
By authority of the Radiation Control for Health and Safety Act
of 1968, the Center for Devices and Radiological Health
(CDRH) of the FDA develops performance standards for the
emission of radiation from electronic products including X-ray
equipment, other medical devices, television sets, microwave
ovens, laser products and sunlamps. The CDRH established a
product performance standard for microwave ovens in 1971
limiting the amount of RF leakage from ovens. However, the
CDRH has not adopted performance standards for other RF-
emitting products. The FDA is, however, the lead federal health
agency in monitoring the latest research developments and
advising other agencies with respect to the safety of RF-emitting
products used by the public, such as cellular and PCS phones.
The FDA's microwave oven standard is an emission standard (as
opposed to an exposure standard) that allows specific levels of
microwave leakage (measured at five centimeters from the oven
Section 4: Safety Guidelines and Warranty Information
4A: Safety 209
Advertisement
Table of Contents
